By Ogochukwu Isioma
Hundreds of lawyers and members of civil society organization, Monday, stormed the Attorney General’s Office in Abuja with a petition demanding immediate action against Engr. Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The group alleged Ahmed abused his office, misappropriating over $5 million in public funds to sponsor his children in elite schools abroad.
In the petition signed by Barrister Aquila Kendo, the Concerned Nigerian Youths Forum (CNYF) claims Ahmed’s children attended prestigious schools in Switzerland and India, with tuition fees running into hundreds of thousands of dollars.
It also alleged conflict of interest, citing Ahmed’s son’s employment with Oando Plc, a company regulated by NMDPRA, and accused Ahmed of casting doubt on the quality of petroleum products refined by the Dangote Refinery.
“The actions attributed to Engr. Farouk Ahmed, if proven, violate a number of federal statutes and ethical standards,” Kendo stated.
“First is Section 172 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which binds public officers to act in the public interest and to eschew corruption. The diversion of public funds or influence-peddling to sponsor private education abroad directly contradicts this provision.
“Under Paragraphs 1, 6, and 11 of the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution (Code of Conduct for Public Officers), a public official is required to declare all assets and liabilities and is barred from engaging in activities that create conflict between their private interest and public duties.
“The Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act (CAP C15 LFN 2004) reinforces these rules and outlines penalties, including dismissal from office and seizure of assets not lawfully acquired.
“Additionally, Section 15 of the Public Procurement Act 2007 forbids public officers from authorising public spending not backed by lawful appropriation. No known appropriation or budget line justifies the alleged expenditure on foreign education in this case.
“Furthermore, Sections 19 and 26 of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act (ICPC Act) criminalise the use of public office for unjust enrichment and the receipt of any advantage that could compromise an officer’s impartiality. We believe the benefits allegedly extended to Oando and the regulatory latitude granted to fuel importers fall within these violations.
“Under Section 1 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, any individual who disguises the origin of funds through layered transactions or transfers via proxy accounts is liable to prosecution.
“Finally, Engr. Ahmed’s alleged issuance of licenses to import high-sulphur diesel also violates provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) that empower NMDPRA to safeguard the health and safety of Nigerian consumers through environmental and technical product compliance.”
The group is calling for Ahmed’s immediate suspension, coordinated investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), and swift prosecution if allegations are substantiated.
They also demand systemic reforms within NMDPRA to prevent future occurrences, aiming to protect Nigeria’s petroleum sector from corruption and ensure accountability.
